Please remember this. Life can be so depressing. For those who have lived any length of time, the loss of many loved-ones is a reality. It can make us feel truly alone and adrift. Or to those who had a devastating family life. Who were abused or neglected. For many, life can be so very troubling. But the hard truth portrayed in many of the Psalms is not meant to discourage and depress. The Psalms are meant to encourage and uplift. And the Psalms can be, if we realize that God is our only true “home” and our only true “family”. And our study is meant to have us see Him in our lives. To see that He is our true Father and our true Family. That we were created for relationship with Him. Him who will never leave, never disappoint. Him who only loves us. Him who is our everlasting stability and eternal security.
Let’s finish the Scripture quoted above, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He overcomes the world IN ME. The worldliness, the selfishness I cherish. He overcomes that by giving me… Himself. By uniting with me in this grand and glorious dance of life. With all its trials and tribulations. Thereby, transcending the trial. Converting the trial into an opportunity for love to shine. This is how He overcomes the world. By uniting with me in love, to transcend the trial into an expression of that love. The darkness only makes the light brighter and more wonderful in the contrast.
Let us allow our God to deliver us from the darkness. The darkness of our own self-created tomb. And lead us into a life of love and trial… united with Him. This is true deliverance. True assurance. True security. True stability.
With brotherly love,
Jim